The Vatican Prepares For The Departure Of Pope Benedict XVI10 pictures

Father Federico Lombardi, Director of the Holy See Press Office, speaks to reporters during a press conference in the Holy See Press Room on February 26, 2013 in Rome, Italy. The Pontiff will hold his last weekly public audience on...More

Father Federico Lombardi, Director of the Holy See Press Office, speaks to...Father Federico Lombardi, Director of the Holy See Press Office, speaks to reporters during a press conference in the Holy See Press Room on February 26, 2013 in Rome, Italy. The Pontiff will hold his last weekly public audience on February 27, 2013 before he retires the following day. Pope Benedict XVI has been the leader of the Catholic Church for eight years and is the first Pope to retire since 1415. He cites ailing health as his reason for retirement and will spend the rest of his life in solitude away from public engagementsLessMore

The sun sets behind St Peter's Basilica on February 26, 2013 in Rome, Italy. The Pontiff will hold his last weekly public audience on February 27, 2013 before he retires the following day. Pope Benedict XVI has been the leader of the...More

The sun sets behind St Peter's Basilica on February 26, 2013 in Rome, Italy. The...The sun sets behind St Peter's Basilica on February 26, 2013 in Rome, Italy. The Pontiff will hold his last weekly public audience on February 27, 2013 before he retires the following day. Pope Benedict XVI has been the leader of the Catholic Church for eight years and is the first Pope to retire since 1415. He cites ailing health as his reason for retirement and will spend the rest of his life in solitude away from public engagements.LessMore

A nun takes a photograph as the sun sets behind St Peter's Basilica on February 26, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. The Pontiff will hold his last weekly public audience on February 27, 2013 before he retires the following day. Pope...More

A nun takes a photograph as the sun sets behind St Peter's Basilica on February 26,...A nun takes a photograph as the sun sets behind St Peter's Basilica on February 26, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. The Pontiff will hold his last weekly public audience on February 27, 2013 before he retires the following day. Pope Benedict XVI has been the leader of the Catholic Church for eight years and is the first Pope to retire since 1415. He cites ailing health as his reason for retirement and will spend the rest of his life in solitude away from public engagements.LessMore

Rain clouds gather near St Peter's Basilica on February 26, 2013 in Rome, Italy. The Pontiff will hold his last weekly public audience on February 27, 2013 before he retires the following day. Pope Benedict XVI has been the leader of...More

Rain clouds gather near St Peter's Basilica on February 26, 2013 in Rome, Italy....Rain clouds gather near St Peter's Basilica on February 26, 2013 in Rome, Italy. The Pontiff will hold his last weekly public audience on February 27, 2013 before he retires the following day. Pope Benedict XVI has been the leader of the Catholic Church for eight years and is the first Pope to retire since 1415. He cites ailing health as his reason for retirement and will spend the rest of his life in solitude away from public engagementsLessMore

A local church group carry a wooden cross as they prepare to pray for Pope Benedict XVI on the steps of St Peter's Basilica on February 26, 2013 in Rome, Italy. The Pontiff will hold his last weekly public audience on February 27, 2013...More

A local church group carry a wooden cross as they prepare to pray for Pope Benedict...A local church group carry a wooden cross as they prepare to pray for Pope Benedict XVI on the steps of St Peter's Basilica on February 26, 2013 in Rome, Italy. The Pontiff will hold his last weekly public audience on February 27, 2013 before he retires the following day. Pope Benedict XVI has been the leader of the Catholic Church for eight years and is the first Pope to retire since 1415. He cites ailing health as his reason for retirement and will spend the rest of his life in solitude away from public engagements.LessMore

A photograph of Pope Jean-Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI (R) adorn a window display in the Vatican book shop next to St Peter's Basilica on February 26, 2013 in Rome, Italy. The Pontiff will hold his last weekly public audience on...More

A photograph of Pope Jean-Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI (R) adorn a window display...A photograph of Pope Jean-Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI (R) adorn a window display in the Vatican book shop next to St Peter's Basilica on February 26, 2013 in Rome, Italy. The Pontiff will hold his last weekly public audience on February 27, 2013 before he retires the following day. Pope Benedict XVI has been the leader of the Catholic Church for eight years and is the first Pope to retire since 1415. He cites ailing health as his reason for retirement and will spend the rest of his life in solitude away from public engagements.LessMore

Metal doors bearing the Papal Seal at the entrance to the Vatican City ahead of Pope Benedict XVI's last public audience on February 26, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. The Pontiff will hold his last weekly public audience on February...More

Metal doors bearing the Papal Seal at the entrance to the Vatican City ahead of...Metal doors bearing the Papal Seal at the entrance to the Vatican City ahead of Pope Benedict XVI's last public audience on February 26, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. The Pontiff will hold his last weekly public audience on February 27, 2013 before he retires the following day. Pope Benedict XVI has been the leader of the Catholic Church for eight years and is the first Pope to retire since 1415. He cites ailing health as his reason for retirement and will spend the rest of his life in solitude away from public engagements.LessMore

A priest stands next to St Peter's Basilica on February 26, 2013 in Rome, Italy. The Pontiff will hold his last weekly public audience on February 27, 2013 before he retires the following day. Pope Benedict XVI has been the leader of...More

A priest stands next to St Peter's Basilica on February 26, 2013 in Rome, Italy....A priest stands next to St Peter's Basilica on February 26, 2013 in Rome, Italy. The Pontiff will hold his last weekly public audience on February 27, 2013 before he retires the following day. Pope Benedict XVI has been the leader of the Catholic Church for eight years and is the first Pope to retire since 1415. He cites ailing health as his reason for retirement and will spend the rest of his life in solitude away from public engagements.LessMore

Visitors line up to enter St Peter's Basilica on February 26, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. The Pontiff will hold his last weekly public audience on February 27, 2013 before he retires the following day. Pope Benedict XVI has been the...More

Visitors line up to enter St Peter's Basilica on February 26, 2013 in Vatican City,...Visitors line up to enter St Peter's Basilica on February 26, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. The Pontiff will hold his last weekly public audience on February 27, 2013 before he retires the following day. Pope Benedict XVI has been the leader of the Catholic Church for eight years and is the first Pope to retire since 1415. He cites ailing health as his reason for retirement and will spend the rest of his life in solitude away from public engagementsLessMore

Workers erect a stand for television cameras in sight of St Peter's Basilica on February 26, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. The Pontiff will hold his last weekly public audience on February 27, 2013 before he retires the following day....More

Workers erect a stand for television cameras in sight of St Peter's Basilica on...Workers erect a stand for television cameras in sight of St Peter's Basilica on February 26, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. The Pontiff will hold his last weekly public audience on February 27, 2013 before he retires the following day. Pope Benedict XVI has been the leader of the Catholic Church for eight years and is the first Pope to retire since 1415. He cites ailing health as his reason for retirement and will spend the rest of his life in solitude away from public engagementsLessMore